The Green Bay Packers made a significant coaching change during the offseason, and it seems to be popular with one of their defensive stars.
The Packers replaced defensive coordinator Joe Barry with Boston College head coach Jeff Hafley during the offseason after Barry’s defense struggled for much of the 2023 season. Alexander is already seeing the impacts, and while he tried to be respectful of his former coaching staff, the star cornerback made no secret of the fact that he is pleased with the change.
Jaire Alexander explains how defensive and strength staff changes “definitely” have improved his happiness and connectedness to the team.
On the prior staff in that regard: “I wouldn’t say it was missing, but it wasn’t as easy as it is with this new staff. They’ve been great.” pic.twitter.com/u0XS1PuOIH
— Matt Schneidman (@mattschneidman) May 29, 2024
“I met the strength staff first. They were great. There was a mutual respect, and I was willing to work with them. And then I met the coaches next, and it was the same there. … Having that relationship and building that, it’s been helpful.”
When asked if that sort of connectedness to the staff had been missing before, Alexander’s response was telling.
“I don’t want to say it was missing, but it wasn’t as easy as it is with the new staff. They’ve been great,” Alexander said.
Barry may simply have failed to connect with his players. Hafley appears to be doing a much better job of that, at least initially.
A two-time All-Pro selection, Alexander had a rather tumultuous end to his 2023 season. There may be some reason to believe things should go more smoothly for him and the Packers in 2024.
